Chapter 6

September 1st, 1993

Upon entering the castle, Harry Potter and Hermione Granger were called for by noon other than Professor McGonagall. Ronald Weasley was forced to carry on to the Great Hall, joining a group of boys to avoid walking alone as his friends abandoned him unwillingly.

Hermione seemed a fair bit more confident as the pair followed the woman. On the other hand, Harry seemed to be thinking back on past experiences… a trip to a professor's office typically meant you were in trouble.

But as the teens settled into the office, the school nurse Madam Pomfrey joined them, beginning to fret over Harry. And McGonagall had taken her leave to deal with the arriving first years… leaving Harry safe from whatever he expected to happen.

Pomfrey would spend some time dotting over the boy, complaining about the demeanors the whole way through. Unhappy with their supposed effect on people, less than happy about how many students she would have to help through the year. Harry and Hermione just remained silent the whole time. Harry more so out of just being quiet for the sake of being quiet… On the other hand, Hermione tapped her foot endlessly, something on her mind.

Eventually, Pomfrey seemed satisfied with Harry's condition and backed away, allowing the two teens the privacy to talk, a chance Hermione jumped at, "How much do you know about Iris?"

Harry shrugged, failing to notice the way his friend seemed a tad bit tense, "Iris never talked much about herself. I said everything I know."

Hermione seemed a bit annoyed as she glanced at Harry, "So a pureblood from America, only starting school now. Doesn't that bug you?" she paused, a bit of annoyance peaking into her features, "That you know nothing? I mean, you couldn't even say a last name to see if Ron or I have heard of her family."

Harry narrowed his eyes as he shot his attention to Hermione, "She is nice, never pried into my life, so I did the same. She never spoke bad about muggles and never spoke bad about you or Ron. I know enough."

Hermione tilted her head, her voice softening, "Do you actually?"

Harry turned away from Hermione at the question, face scrunching with anger and then settling into a blank state seconds later. The question finally seemed to lock into his brain.

Hermione sighed and opened her mouth to speak, but then the door opened. Professor McGonagall had returned and with it took Hermione to talk.

Leaving Harry to spend some time alone, mind filled with countless questions he never asked.

The walk back was silent, for the most part. The group of four quickly walked through the empty halls. Even the moving portraits kept their conversations quiet.

Madam Pomfrey eventually departed from the group, disappearing into the Hospital Wing.

All that was heard were the clicks of McGonagall's heels.

Click. Click. Click

Click. Click. Click.

"Could I ask you a question, Professor?" Harry's voice startled the two women, both having been lost to their own thoughts.

McGonagall, however, was quick to recover, her eyes still forward. She answered, "You already did, but I suppose, as your teacher, another is permitted."

Harry hesitated for a moment, his eyes falling to the floor as he found the words. McGonagall and Hermione both glanced at him curiously.

Finding his words, Harry spoke up, eyes still to the ground, "There is a new third year, Iris." Another breath of hesitation followed, and with it, so did the demeanor of the two walking companions.

Hermione seemed to perk at the mention of the girl she herself seemed to hold some curiosity towards, eyes saying towards McGonagall as she waited for what Harry had to ask.

It went unnoticed by either of the teenagers following behind her… but Professor McGonagall seemed the faintest bit… hesitant. But she showed it in nothing but her eyes. So she was quick to try and push the question out of Harry, "Yes, Iris Blackwell."

Hermione's face scrunched, her mind no doubt working to try and find some ounce of familiarity in the name. Taking the small bit of information she had just been given and running wild with it.

Harry frowned for a second, perhaps slightly bothered that he had just learned his newest friend's last name and not even from her own introduction. But nonetheless, he continued, "Yes, Professor. I was just wondering where she was sorted. We met over the summer."

Something in his words seemed to truly hit the woman that time. Her eyes closed for the briefest moment in almost a grimace. But McGonagall was clearly nothing if not composed, so the teenagers saw no change in her themselves as she nodded her head towards the Great Hall doors, "You can answer that question for yourself, Mr. Potter."

And as the trio walked through those doors and straight into the packed dining hall, Harry's search began.

First to the red table, Gryffindor, the house of the lion. His own house. He searched up and down both sides of the table, hopeful to find who he wanted to see. And while he was filled with disappointment at not finding her… Harry couldn't say he was much surprised.

Second was the yellow table, Hufflepuff, the house of the badger. Eyes once again up and down the table. A bit quicker this time… Harry couldn't even pretend to think he would have found her there.

Third was the blue table, Ravenclaw, home to the eagle. Harry found himself checking that table twice… both out of what could be desperation and perhaps even just a twinge of shock.

Last… last was the one Harry struggled to turn his eyes onto. The green house, Slytherin, home of the snake. But Harry didn't even have to search long once there… no, almost immediately he had found her. Staring right back at him, a newly transformed green tie around her neck.

He couldn't bring himself to look at her for more than a second. Shoulders slumped as he joined his friends at their table. His inner debate clear as day. His distress immediately known to his two closest friends as he muttered some words to them. Both Granger and Weasley turn to catch a glimpse of the girl across the hall for themselves. Quickly whipping their heads back to Harry when they realized they were being watched by the girl already.

The girl in green forced herself to look away. Dragging her attention to the end of the hall, where it seemed the Headmaster was preparing to give a speech. She fixed her posture as the boy beside her tilted his head at the interaction he had just witnessed.

Iris Blackwell was sorted into Slytherin, and Theodore Nott had been correct. Harry Potter was far from unbiased.

XxxxxX

Albus Dumbledore was the Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Tall, old, and sporting a beard that seemed impossibly long, he definitely drew attention. Dressed in the most striking purple robes, he certainly had a soul filled with energy… an energy that could be spotted in the sparkle in his eyes.

Beaming at the students as they quieted and directed their attention toward him, Dumbledore greeted, "Welcome! To another year at Hogwarts!" The smile faded a bit, "I have a few things to say to you all, and as one of them is very serious, I think it best to get it out of the way before you become befuddled by our excellent feast..."

Iris' eyes clouded with lack of interest quickly. Closing in on herself and into her own head, looking like a mannequin to everyone who bothered to glance her way.

"... nobody is to leave school without permission." Iris' lips quipped, showing that no matter how zoned out she seemed. Iris Blackwell was always faintly aware of everything.

Dumbledore kept with his speech, "Dementors are not to be fooled by tricks or disguises— or even Invisibility Cloaks." Iris seemed a tad bit more aware as she listened to the Headmaster's following words of advice, "It is not in the nature of a dementor to understand pleading or excuses. I, therefore, warn each and every one of you to give them no reason to harm you."

Something in the words caused her to shift in her seat. Her eyes lit back up with attention as she returned her eyes back to the Headmaster. Theodore Nott side-eyed her at the movement but paid it no more thought as he gave his full attention to Dumbledore just as he began two introductions.

"First, Professor Lupin, who has kindly consented to fill the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher." Once more, Iris shifted, her eyes settling on the man for only a second before darting away. She clapped lightly.

Theodore turned his head slightly in her direction as he asked, "Is he going to be any good?"

Her eyes betrayed her perfect facade of feeling nothing at all, her eyes softening as she spoke, "The best. He's a great man and will be a great teacher." Theodore nodded as he turned away once more, content with what he heard. Iris, in turn, seemed a bit more attentive to her classmate's actions.

When the faint applause died, the next introduction followed. "Well, I am sorry to say Professor Kettleburn, our Care of Magical Creatures teacher, retired at the end of last year in order to enjoy more time with his remaining limbs," Theodore's nose scrunched a bit, "However, I am delighted to say that his place will be filled by none other than Rubeus Hagrid…."

Iris watched as Theodore Nott tensed, the news clearly not as good as hearing Iris' opinion of Professor Lupin.

Theodore's voice came out in a harsh whisper, "That oaf is going to be my teacher."

An older girl across from them shot her head in his direction, face scrunched, "Book should have given it away. We are failing; this is it."

"Should have taken divination instead," another said.

"No, that's just as bad. Arithmancy would have been the fallback," replied a somewhat disappointed voice.

Iris's attention was everywhere. The thunder of applause and complaints of nearby housemates made for a strange comparison. She watched as some from other tables immediately turned to friends and as others from even her own house politely clapped, unaffected. She settled on the farthest table the longest, them being the loudest in applause. However, the most crucial sight was that of the man himself.

The bearded man that led her and the first years up to the castle currently sat, wiping his tears with a tablecloth.

Blankly watching as food curiously manifested onto the tables, she lowly stated, "I signed up for Care of Magical Creatures."

Theodore turned rather solemn, muttering into his goblet before taking a drink, "It just got worse."

Raising an eyebrow, Iris couldn't quite stop the smirk growing on her lips, "Worse? I think Nott. I make everything better."

Theodore simply rolled his eyes, choosing not to engage further with the girl as he focused on his meal. Iris didn't seem much phased for being ignored, her attention quickly on the world around them. Watching and taking notes of all the people she would be living with and learning with for the next few years.

She stopped for a moment on a platinum blonde boy… surrounded by people who had all eyes on him. He seemed to be boosting about an encounter with the dementors on the train.

Iris narrowed her eyes a fraction before tearing her attention aware. Digging into her feast, she ate in silence.

XxxxxX

After dinner, all new students were led to their house common room by the house prefects. Iris lagged behind the crowd, having already sent some first year a glare after being bumped into.

Off the entrance hall was a door that, if closed, hid the staircase leading to the dungeons. The bumping of other students was quite disastrous for the already awkward first years. Two nearly fell on their faces, only being saved by the help of older students.

Once all the way down, they walked down a corridor for a bit, the male prefect only stopping to point out the Head of House, Professor Severus Snape's, office and the potions room.

The corridor was wide and against the walls were tall half pillars, creating sections. Every now and again, the odd painting could be found on the walls. All of them, strangely enough, animated and seemingly conscious. Windows were nonexistent, just doors, paintings, and walls.

As the two prefects stopped, as did everyone else, including the older kids. The girl prefect's voice called out, "Remember this section of the wall, next to the painting of Sir Winfred," she pointed to the section on the right side of the corridor. "This is the wall you must speak the password to. The password changes every two weeks, so keep an eye on the notice board within the common room." She glanced at her male counterpart.

The boy picked up the rest of the speech, "We ask no one brings those from other houses here," he grimaced at the idea of such a thing. "We don't need the world impeding on our home, as that is what this is—a home. Slytherin's have to stick together, and anything but simple squabbles are prohibited. The school already hates us as the booing at the ceremony showed. We can't turn on one another." His eyes carried over the crowd, stopping on a few students here and there.

Iris found herself glancing around as well. Her eyes holding onto the platinum blonde hair from dinner. The boy had whispered to his friends, a faint chuckle spouting from the listener and smirk from the speaker.

After a few seconds of silence, the girl continued, "The password is 'fortnight'. Hopefully, it will help you remember, older years included," her eyes darted to a group of students, "that the password changes every fortnight, or two weeks." She then turned to the wall and, under her breath, said the word—an action which set the wall in motion.

Beyond the wall was a short passage, which was a straight path into the common room.

The room was a grand space. The passage opened into the room as a large archway with a short staircase stretching wall to wall. Even without the drop in elevation, the room was already tall, the walls towering above the newcomers. The room curved the further it went, the end of the room ending in a half-circle. The floor was the stone found throughout the castle; however, it was only visible along the room's perimeter, a large rug covering it from view. Along the walls were medieval-like tapestries, telling the stories of the past and above the tapestries hanging bundles of garland. Pillars separated the wall, and between them on the left were windows showing into what seems to be the lake. The room consisted of a green glow as a result of the murky water changing the light.

Furniture was reasonably spaced, allowing the room to feel open. The focal point was the fireplace. The mantel was clear of objects, and above it was the Slytherin crest, visible to the entire room.

The glow of the fire spread to the black leather couches occupying either side to the fireplace and to the small coffee table between them. Upon the couches were green pillows and on the table, a bowl filled with various fruits. Three desks stood at multiple locations, an armchair was to the left of the fireplace, a large round table was a few steps behind the furthest couch, and two small tables were placed at various spots, one holding a chess set. Besides the seating, the room had a few odd decorations, greenish lamps, and bookcases.

At the back of the room stood two doors with a board occupying the space between, containing various bits of information.

The older students disappeared through the two doors as the prefects held back the newcomers. The girl once more spoke out, "The common room is the central meeting place. Every Friday night starting immediately after dinner and carrying till nine are tutor hours. Several fifth, sixth, and seventh years volunteer every year in order to look better to future employers. They offer other days personally, but Friday is the only set day."

The boy gave the next tidbit of information, "The notice board will, as already mentioned, hold the current password and when changed the new one. Along with the password, it will share Hogsmeade trips, something only for third years and up," his eyes darted to Iris, "As well as Quidditch matches, meal times, class times and other odd bits of information. In the morning, you can even find maps. They aren't the best, but it's better than nothing while learning the castle layout."

Nodding in agreement, the girl finished off the tour, "Lights off for first years is nine on school nights, ten on weekends. Third years and up are ten and eleven; however, the older years get more leeway as long as they are in the common room. Now girls will take the left door and boys the right," She pointed to the respective doors.

"There are no restrictions; however, we do hope everyone keeps their dignity. We have not yet had problems, and having this freedom would not be pleasant to have taken away." The first years showed their confusion, but Iris smirked, shifting her weight slightly as she looked toward the fire.

The final words came from the boy, "You are all free to go, your names will be on a plaque on the doors. If you ever have any questions or just need to talk, feel free to come to us. My name is Arnold Shelby, and this is Isabel Flint."

Iris was gone before anyone could even think to move.